Playing around up TW yesterday, as the Sun went down, there were a slew of gnats. Swarms. (I really need to get some clears glasses.) They really screw up your vision, having to stop to get them out of your eyes.
My head lamp would light up the swarms and give you a 2 sec warning before they crashed into your eyes.
But I wasn't sure if it attracted them. So I nix-say the light.
Even after I was off the mt, there where gnats still all over me, at the store. Some alive.
Bonus, with my light off, I couldn't see the trail as well and I actually went faster...for me.

Still any ride is a good ride.

Ugh, I dislike gnats very much. They get in my slitty eyes, up my nose and basically create total misery. Thanks for the 411 since TW was a place I was thinking of riding this weekend.

I bought a hiking cap years ago that has a bug net built into it and have thought about using it under my helmet on rides but never have since it looks totally ridiculous - asian guy with a bug net hanging off his hat visor under his bike helmet... add my kim jong il shades and now we're rocking!

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

It was the same way at PQ last night. Every couple minutes you'd come around a corner through a freakin dense cloud of gnats. Every time I stopped I had to brush hundreds of those fuckers off my shirt, arms, face, glasses, etc. Seemed to be right before sunset when they suddenly were everywhere.

I've still never ridden any of TW - is there much up there for someone who prefers to keep the wheels on the ground? I know I saw an XCish-climbing oriented ride report out there by bankerboy I think, but wasn't really convinced it was worth the what looks to be a brutal climb up from Iola Way

You can climb up from Meadowbrook Lane (off of Pomerado) behind Meadowbrook school. That will put you on top and you can ride the single tracks on top. Even drop back down to Iola if you like.

Thanks, maybe I'll cruise up there one day

TW has lots of climbing and descending. There are super gnarly routes and easier stuff and go arounds. You won't have the variety of a calaveras but it is totally worth checking out.

_________________
"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

another place I've never ridden... can u get kicked off DT for that lol?

As if the knats were not bad enough already, I ran right into a swarm of bees up on Del Mar Mesa. Only got stung once but I sure looked silly jumping off my bike, throwing down my helmet, then hopping down the trail trying to get those mofo's off me.

Upper insanity at TW is a good practice spot for Calavera's 3 sisters rollers.
My buddy cheated on his second attempt and cut out the first roll. I don't blame him, it looked harsh on his very stiff hardtail


I like when our typical xc rides involve these kinda stuff on small bikes. Boosh!

Mike, lmk when you plan to go over to TW. As much fun and just as capable my trail bike is, it's fun to go on autopilot on my big bike every now and then.

Calavera is seeing a lot more gnats near dusk as well. Ran into a lot of them near the water on our way back. Ugh.

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Department of Good Times

Let me know next time you're doing TW after work, Oz! I've only been there once and have no idea how to find the fun stuff (that won't kill me, lol)